Strictly stars who slammed BBC show – ‘s*** money’, injury feud and judges are ‘puppets’

Strictly Come Dancing first aired in 2004 and has become one of the nation’s favourite TV shows.

The celebrities remaining fighting for the coveted Glitterball Trophy are Bobby Brazier, Ellie Leah, Layton Williams and Annabel Croft. Over the last two months, the contestants have all spoken positively about their experience in the competition.

But not everyone has had the nicest things to say about the show in the past. Former professional dancer Vincent Simone hit out that the BBC should look after their dancers more.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly’s Karen Hauer issues three-word response to rumours she’s quitting show

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While James Jordan claimed the judges are told what to say. As the series draws to a close, Daily Star has looked at some of the star’s who have slammed the show.

Professional breaks

Earlier in the series, former professionals Ian Waite and Vincent Simone hit out at the BBC about looking after the show’s dancers. Ian, 52, appeared on Strictly from 2004 until 2009 before becoming on a presenter on It Takes Two, from 2010 to 2020.

He discussed his feelings about the show’s organisation should alter with GB News. “My personal opinion is that they should have a very big pool of dancers and they change it up every time,” he said.

Ian suggested professionals should be given a year-long break to help them return at their best for the following series. The star explained: “So it would be nice for certain pros to have a year off, let’s say Giovanni [Pernice], have a year off, and then come back next year and feel fresh and to do it again.

However, he confessed that this is unlikely to happen as “the BBC are renowned for not bringing pros back”. He added: “I don’t think we’ve ever seen any pros being dropped one year and then brought back the year after which is unusual because in America they do and in Australia they do.”

Vincent, 44, also had his say about the current series. The Italian star, who was an integral part of Strictly from 2006 to 2012, suggested they could employ background dancers to prevent injuries.

He said: “I mean, from a covering part of it, if someone gets injured, you have some extra professionals, which are already known roughly by the public so you don’t get like a full-on stranger jumping into the show for injury purposes. But otherwise… I mean, our group numbers back in the days, it was quite intimate, you know, it was like three couples, four couples.”

Vincent added: “But now the dance floor is packed, which is amazing, you know, looks spectacular, but [the show] could just employ dancers.

Judges are “puppets”

James Jordan battled it out for the Glitterball trophy between 2006 and 2013. Since leaving the show, he hasn’t shied away from sharing his true feelings. Speaking on Secure the Insecure with Johnny Seifert, the former Strictly star claimed the judges are “told what to say”.

“Being a judge was kind of made for me because I’m very honest,” James told the host. “That’s what people like and dislike about me. Sometimes I say what people are too scared to say, but I sleep well at night.

He added: “I am what I am, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m not saying I’m always right with my opinions but I always tell the truth. James went on to brand the four judges “puppets”, confessing he wouldn’t stand by being told what to do.

“I’m not a puppet,” he insisted. “I was on Strictly for eight years so I know how to behave myself. I work hard and know it’s not all about me. However, if I was going to be a judge I wouldn’t be told what I have to say.

“I would say what I believe is true. I think maybe they’re a bit scared I’d say the truth. Surely that’s what the public want to see.” Last week, Nigel Harman was forced to pull out of the competition due to injury, just two weeks before the final.

James, 45, opened up about the former EastEnders star’s abrupt exit, admitting he was “gutted.” Speaking James Jordan’s The Truth with Hello!, he said: “I do feel sorry for them, I’m gutted.

“And this is the problem you see when you have other professional dancers involved in a dance which gives you the opportunity to do silly things like jump off of stages into people’s arms or whatever he was trying to do which has then injured him. “I’m a purist, so I don’t feel Strictly needs all that.”

James claimed if routines didn’t involve “silly” jumps then Nigel could still competing on the show. He added: “It wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t trying to do silly things like jump off stages, stick to the Latin and Ballroom dances and they would still be in the competition.”

“S*** money”

Former Spice Girls star Melanie C admitted she’s been approached several times to compete in Strictly. In 2016, the singer revealed why she was yet to say yes.

She exclusively told Daily Star: “Strictly is really the only one of those shows that I would consider and I have had a meeting with them – they ask me every year to do it. The problem is if you do Strictly it’s so high profile and you’ll find yourself in the sidebar of shame every day.

She joked: “And the money’s s***!” While she hasn’t yet appeared on Strictly, Mel did go on to appear on the US version Dancing With The Stars in 2021. She finished in 11th place with Gleb Savchenko.

BBC tribute fail

In October 2022, the remaining celebrities danced to a BBC show theme tune to celebrate 100 years of the broadcaster. The opening credits of Blue Peter, Grange Hill and Casualty’s included in the celebs’ performances.

However, not everyone was a fan of the idea. Former pro Robin Windsor, who appeared on the show between 2010 and 2013, said: “I loved the premise of strictly this week – for me sadly it didn’t work.”

The 44-year-old added: “Should have just had the fab opening number for bbc100 and then a normal show but that’s just my 2 cents.” James also weighed in on the debate. He tweeted at the time: “I’m so happy this won’t happen on Strictly again for another 100 years.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk